Which genetic material is used as the hereditary blueprint by retroviruses such as HIV?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Retroviruses like the human immunodeficiency virus utilize single-stranded RNA as their genomic material, which is subsequently converted into double-stranded DNA inside host cells using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Most living cellular organisms store genetic instructions in double-stranded DNA, whereas various other viruses rely on single-stranded or double-stranded DNA genomes. This unique replication cycle allows retroviral DNA to integrate permanently into the host chromosomal genome. Antiretroviral therapies target specific enzymes like reverse transcriptase and integrase to suppress viral replication in infected patients.